By Matt Bevan

Ohara “Two Tanks” Davies is looking to build on the momentum he picked up in 2015 and improve his unbeaten record in the year ahead. The Hackney lightweight begins his 2016 with a scheduled six-round bout with Ghana’s Prince Ofotsu in supporting capacity on Matchroom Boxing’s bill this Saturday at the Copper Box Arena in London’s Olympic Park.

There is a bit of familiarity with his upcoming opponent. Ofotsu was the victim of a bizarre stoppage Davies’ training partner Ricky Burns last August in Hull, which aired live on Sky Sports.

Davies revealed that despite forcing his last opponent Chris Truman to quit on his stool in his last fight, he was close to retiring himself that night due to a knee injury. However he says there are no such problems this time around and he is ready to shine once again on Saturday.

“I’m in the best shape of my life for this fight and ready to do some big things in 2016.” Davies told BoxingScene.com. “I was in bad shape last time, as I’d injured a ligament in my right knee and was close to retiring myself against Truman. I may well have done that if I hadn't finished him early. “Now is the time to show how good I am, as the competition is getting harder and I’m stepping up.

“I’ve been ready for this for a while, but it’s hard to get fights, which isn't down to Eddie Hearn or Tony Sims, who are in control of my career. There have been plenty of highly rated guys domestically who have turned a fight with me down, so it’s not my fault I haven't had a real chance yet.”

Despite not having a stand out fight yet, the 23-year-old is gaining a reputation of always being in entertaining fights and his style is gaining him plenty of fans with every win. What he hopes for, however, is the type of fight that will properly gauge his development to this point.

“I’ll need to get a mandatory slot, so they have no choice but to take me on,” Davies believes. “I don't actually know how good I am yet.”

Davies says his style was always cut out for the pro game, although he never lost as an amateur either. But, he doesn't look back at his amateur career with a great deal of fondness and admits that turning over to the pro ranks was his only concern.

“I didn't even have 20 fights as an amateur, so although it’s nice to be able to claim that I have never lost, it’s not something I look back on at all,” Davies admits. “The pro’s was always for me and I had to turn over as I was broke. I had a pro style anyway, but I had no money and in the amateurs you obviously don't get paid, so how was I meant to live?

“Boxing is what I have always wanted, but if I had a job, I couldn't train like I do. I appreciate how lucky I am, as there are fighters higher up than me… that still have another job.”

He is in a rare and fortunate position for a rising prospect in the boxing world, as he gets to train full time and not work another job. He agrees that he is in a lucky place, but will never take it easy, as he looks to continue his rise towards the top.

“My sponsors are superb, as they keep me going and financially stable whilst I train, so there is no hassle for me,” Davies notes. “I’m in a good place, earning well and can focus on fighting, so I know how lucky I am. It sets me in good stead for big things, starting with a win on January 30th at the Copper Box.”

Matt Bevan is part of the BoxingScene.com UK news team. Twitter: @MBevs68